Once again, I can’t express just how much fun I had photographing Monica and Patricia at this old mansion in Cuba. This is Monica jumping in a very small area with such grace and style. She was indeed floating in air and I was on cloud nine! I’ve used the Plotagraph Software to add some motion to her hair and dress. REMEMBER TO CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO MAK E IT BIGGER! If you’d like to explore or play with Plotagraph you can save 10% by using the code BARCLAY via this link. I am in the process of working with Topaz and Plotagraph to bring you a webinar on how to best use the software. Stay tuned! A non-Plotagraph version is below.

Why do I love Cuba? The people. This year, I knew a bit more Spanish and was able to communicate a little better. Not great, but enough to understand just how important it is to learn more for my next trip. The woman on the right in the image above caught my eye, she was beautiful. When I engaged her, she was proud to tell me she was “noventa tres” or ninety three. I smiled and said, “mi madre tambian es noventa tres” or my mother is 93 also. This led to a longer conversation of which I did not understand much. That simple connection lead to smiles and gratitude for the Fuji Instax picture I took and left with them. The woman on the left is her daughter. The hands below belong to her mother. What a story they tell!

I just returned from Cuba, where our group had the opportunity to photograph two premier Ballerinas, at a wonderful old mansion in Havana. To say this was an extraordinary photographic opportunity, would be an understatement. I told my wife, it was likely the most fun I’ve ever had making images. The setting was perfect and the two Ballerina dancers beautiful. This type of photography is very much outside of my comfort zone, but, I learned so much and had a blast! I can’t wait to do it again.

Below is just a taste of what I was able to capture. More to come!

I am working on dates for next year where this shoot will be included once again! If you have interest in joining me, write me an email and I’ll add you to a list to be notified once my dates are set.

As a side note. All images made with the Fuji X-T2 with either the 56mm 1.2, 35mm 1.4 or 23mm 1.4 lenses.

At our “Mindful Photography” workshop, I introduced the concept of a PhotoKu. This is the marriage of a photograph with a poem, loosely based on the Japanese from of poetry, Haiku. The idea is to give words to what we are seeing and feeling. The hope is to help us see more deeply.

I believe the biggest shift in my photography happened when I started to focus on experiences rather than chasing “keepers”. I find writing words with my images helps me connect to and remember the experience. The end result has been what I believe is stronger photographs.

My teaching partner for this workshop, Flint Sparks, recently added twist to this idea. I shared a PhotoKu with Flint and this was his reply…

“I loved the Photoku and wanted to send one back, but I also wanted to engage in another practice for myself. The practice is not to go through all the images I’ve processed and pick the “best” one to send to John. Instead, I decided to pick the “next” one, let go of ego, and allow what comes to come. This is what was next in line this morning with my photoku for you”

Waiting in morning light

Silent, ordinary, still

Ready for a warm hand

I am grateful for my friend Flint who is always teaching. Let go of ego. Let go of good versus bad. Let go of judgement. Let go, and, be open to seeing more deeply. Thank you Flint! Approaching photoku from this paradigm will indeed deepen my ability to see beyond what I have traditionally labeled as good. I look forward to this practice in 2017.

I’m back from my annual trip to Molokai where this year we introduced our “Mindful Photography” workshop. Working with the great Flint Sparks was a joy. Having Dewitt Jones, Rikki Cooke and Jack Davis as very special guests made for a week great fun, learning and inspiration.

When we arrived at the “Palm Grove”, one of my favorite locations, this is what greeted us. Calm water, and a tone, and mood in the sky, that I was in love with. It felt very peaceful to me.

And then, as we played with this light waiting for sunset, the sky went ablaze with color!

And then of course we waited for the sun to go down and this happened, beautiful pastel pink.

I remember hearing one participant in the workshop exclaim, “no one will believe me when I say this is exactly what it looked like tonight”. Well, it really did look like this. I adore this location!

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to you all! Thank you for following my blog.

In my last post, I called Plotagraph a new toy. The more I work with this product, the more I see its potential. Again, it is still very new, however, I am starting learn how it works. For something like this image, it is not that difficult. It took me about 1 minute to produce it.

In a world filled with millions of images, how do you differentiate your message? I believe Plotagraph Pro might be one right answer. You can take a great still image, and turn it into something more, something else, something that will catch the eye of your audience. I have decided to partner with these folks as I believe they are onto something big.

If you think this tool might be useful for you or your business, you can save 10% by using the code BARCLAY when you sign up for any of their options. A full year or just a quarter at a time. And through the 4th of December, if you purchase an annual membership you will receive a $50.00 Amazon Gift card in addition to saving 10%. Use this link for either option.

I have always been drawn to the still image with some movement in it. Flixel was cool, but, you needed to shoot video and then mask what you wanted still. Plotatraph does its magic from a still image. Much easier! This is gonna be FUN!

Yup, it is that time again, so here are the deals I recommend and there are some really good ones!

Have you been waiting to pull the trigger on the Topaz Complete Collection? NOW is the time, with 50% off utill Nov 30th. Follow this link http://bit.ly/1FkCnpJ and use the code BLACKFRIDAY16 at checkout. This makes the entire collection, all 17 programs, including the amazing new Texture Effects, just $250! And, if you already own any Topaz products, you will get 50% off of your already discounted upgrade path! Simply log into your Topaz account and follow the path to upgrade and use the same code. This is a no brainer.

FLYPAPER TEXTURES– Until the end of the month click this link and then use the code briefly to get your 25% discount on any of their wonderful textures.

TOTALLY RAD – This sale ends tonight. 50% off of any of their software with the code HOLIDAY2016. Their film looks are very good. Dirty Pictures is still a great program, especially if you don’t need all of the extra’s in Topaz Texture Effects. And, at $29 it is practically free!

I am excited to announce a new workshop for August of 2017 to Glacier National Park with Chuck Kimmerle. In 2013 Chuck was artist-in-residence in Glacier NP. Please click on this link to learn more about this exciting workshop. All images by Chuck Kimmerle. We hope to see you in August!

On Sunday, I was leading a workshop at Fonthill Castle in Doylestown PA. One of the participants beckoned me to come see a shot she was excited about. I had to get my camera and make an image of my own! Thank you Lois.

I’ve been in a B&W frame of mind and so I made a version of this scene. What do you think? Color or B&W and why?